I threw up until the world spun. By the end, it was nothing but bright red blood.

I wiped the blood from my mouth and stared at the ghost in the mirror.

Outside, men's laughter drifted in. "Seeing her so pathetic, begging like that—damn, that felt good."

I stayed in the stall for a long time, until my phone buzzed nonstop.

The hospital.

"Miss Sullivan, your brother developed sudden complications and needs emergency surgery. Please pay $50,000 immediately, or the procedure can't proceed."

Fifty thousand.

To the old me, that was just the price of a handbag.

To the current me, it was a life.

I rushed out. Anthony was at the jewelry counter, helping Audrey pick out a diamond ring.

I ran over and grabbed his sleeve. "Mr. Vance, please—give me $50,000. Right now. My brother is being resuscitated!"

Anthony frowned and shook off my hand. "What are you doing, making a scene in a place like this?"

Audrey covered her mouth and laughed. "Layla, even if you're begging for money, pick the right moment. Anthony's choosing my engagement ring."

"Anthony, that's a human life! That's William! He used to call you brother!"

Anthony's hand paused.

Then his eyes turned even darker. "He's a Sullivan. What does that have to do with me? It'd be better if everyone in that family died off."

He turned back to the rings. "The contract says payment per session. You made me very unhappy tonight. This one—no money."

"What do I have to do? I'll do anything."

Anthony turned, his gaze dropping to my knees. "I want you to kneel down and tie my shoelaces."

His leather shoes were spotless. The laces, perfectly tied.

He was humiliating me.

But William was still on the operating table.

I didn't hesitate. I dropped to my knees with a dull thud. The marble sent pain shooting through my legs. Around me, sharp inhales and muffled snickers filled the air.

With trembling hands, I untied his laces and retied them into a neat bow.

"It's done, Mr. Vance."

I looked up.

Anthony stared down at me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

Then he kicked my hand away.

"What a pity. I'm in an even worse mood now."

He wrapped an arm around Audrey and strode off without a backward glance.

Leaving me there on the floor.

I burst out of the banquet hall like a madwoman, sprinting through the downpour toward the hospital.

Before I even reached the entrance, I slammed into a solid chest at the corner.

"Careful."

Strong hands steadied me.